Chapter 99: Show of Authority

The village chief’s face darkened instantly at those words.

He sized up Xu Zhiquan from head to toe before speaking again:

“You came from another village—do you think you can just do whatever you want here in South River Village?”

“Let me say this again: our village doesn’t allow this. It’s the town’s notice and regulation!”

“No playing music or performances. And take down those wreaths!”

“None of your people should be loitering outside. Go handle things at home!”

The chief’s tone grew even firmer, but the seven or eight villagers behind him puffed out their chests and stepped forward.

Li Rui wore a fierce expression as he flicked his cigarette butt to the ground.

Xu Chen stayed silent but gave Li Rui a warning glance—hold your fire.

He knew his father, Xu Zhiquan, could handle even tougher situations.

After all, he’d done business in this township for years and seen every shady scenario imaginable.

He wouldn’t be intimidated by some village chief.

…

Xu Zhiquan maintained a calm expression, cracked a smile, and said,

“Town regulations, you say?”

“I’m quite close with Mayor Feng Wenjiang. We even had dinner together a couple of days ago.”

“How about I call Mayor Feng right now?”

“If he rebukes me, I’ll have my team pack up and leave immediately.”

Saying that, Xu Zhiquan pulled out his large flip phone…

The village chief, citing the “town’s notice and regulations,” had just played into Xu Zhiquan’s hands.

He wasn’t bluffing—he really was on familiar terms with Mayor Feng.

Their relationship was solid in private…

As Xu Zhiquan flipped open his phone, the village chief froze, panic flickering across his face.

He glanced at the business card in his hand and stammered,

“Actually…no need to bother Mayor Feng.”

His tone had already dropped by half.

Xu Zhiquan lit a cigarette and smiled,

“That won’t work!”

“Since the village chief brought up the town regulations, we’ll stick to them.”

“Mayor Feng and I are good friends. I’ll just call him to confirm. What’s the harm?”

He raised the phone to his ear.

Terrified, the chief hurried forward and grabbed Xu Zhiquan’s arm.

He wore a pathetic, pleading grin.

“Mr. Xu…maybe let’s forget this.”

Xu Zhiquan’s face remained calm, though he found the situation amusing.

The chief was already calling him “Mr. Xu,” and his authority had crumbled.

The chief forced another smile and added,

“That elderly lady’s situation is tough. Mr. Xu, please handle the arrangements. Just don’t involve Mayor Feng…”

“Just make sure you don’t block the village roads.”

Xu Zhiquan feigned hesitation before replying,

“If that’s what the chief wants…”

“Don’t worry. We’ll only set up a few wreaths by the roadside. No one’s path will be blocked.”

He laughed heartily, then snapped his flip phone shut.

The village chief exhaled in relief.

Higher authority always wins—and this “Mr. Xu” might just be bluffing about knowing the mayor.

After all, there are plenty of scammers who pretend to be town officials.

But what if Xu Zhiquan was telling the truth?!

The chief, intimidated by strength, dared not risk it…

Li Rui sneered at the chief, disgust evident on his face.

Xu Chen shook his head, smiling helplessly.

And indeed, Xu Zhiquan did know Mayor Feng Wenjiang personally.

After running factories in the town for years, he’d come to know most of the leadership.

His bond with Mayor Feng was especially deep…

The village chief looked embarrassed, smiled, and started to leave.

Just then, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

He checked it but didn’t answer. Instead, he looked at Xu Zhiquan and murmured,

“It’s Mayor Feng calling…”

Xu Zhiquan smiled.

“What a coincidence! Chief, you should take that call.”

The chief hesitated, then backed into an alley corner before answering the town head’s call.

Xu Zhiquan and Xu Chen watched as he bobbed and scraped, constantly saying “yes” and “understood.”

Xu Chen glanced at his father and whispered,

“Dad…did you set this up?”

Xu Zhiquan replied,

“Although Feng and I are close, I didn’t arrange this.”

“This call was pure luck.”

Xu Chen thought for a moment, then smiled mysteriously.

“Or maybe it wasn’t luck.”

Xu Zhiquan paused. “What do you mean?”

At that moment, the chief returned, phone still pressed to his ear, looking horrified.

“Mr. Xu…Mayor Feng says he’s on his way.”

“He wants to pay respects to student Xie Bingran.”

This caught Xu Zhiquan off guard. He glanced at Xu Chen.

Xu Chen said,

“It’s not just the mayor who’s coming, is it?”

The chief’s lips trembled.

“Right! Mayor Feng says he’s accompanying city officials, including a vice mayor…”

Xu Zhiquan, usually unshakable, sucked in a sharp breath and looked at Xu Chen.

He had an inkling of what was happening, but it still seemed unbelievable.

This young Xie Bingran really held that much influence?

What was more baffling was the plump women’s committee head, upon hearing key details, tilted her head and asked,

“Chief, you said the mayor and city leaders are coming to console that girl from the Xie family?”

“But why?”

The chief frowned, exasperated.

“Why? I wish I knew!”

He let out a huff of frustration, then forced a pleasant smile at Xu Zhiquan, tone suddenly gentle:

“Mr. Xu, did you know?”

Xu Zhiquan said,

“I don’t know…”

“If city leaders are coming to comfort one of your villagers, you as chief should know.”

“Why not call Mayor Feng again?”

The chief shook his head: “Not appropriate. Not appropriate.”

He paced anxiously.

“Well, Mr. Xu, I’ll go get ready to welcome them…please carry on.”

Xu Zhiquan smiled without replying and waved casually.

The chief and his group of villagers hurried off.

Xu Zhiquan took a drag of his cigarette and turned to Xu Chen:

“Does your deskmate really have that kind of clout?”

Xu Chen explained,

“She won the city games championship and made the provincial team.”

“If she wins the national title and joins the national team, it’ll be almost guaranteed…”

“National champion…national team…”

Xu Zhiquan said nothing but pondered the weight of those terms.

Xu Chen added,

“And it might not stop there…”

Xu Zhiquan nodded,

“If you say so, Ms. Xie truly is the city’s promotional ‘poster girl.’”

Li Rui’s face lit up with excitement.

“Chen, is Bing Ge really that big now?”